Mosconi Cup Team Announced
- Thread starter itsfroze
- Start date
Poor judgment Schmidt over Sossei especially in attitude.
You can't be a results picker for one race to 11 when it comes to something like the selection criteria for the 2014 Mosconi Cup Team USA. I could retort and say Sky defeated World Champion Alex Pagulayan, who I think is a stronger player than Johnny Archer. :grin-square:
I don't agree with some of the selections for Team USA, but it doesn't matter what the public thinks at this stage. Now is the time to sit back and enjoy the show. It's a done deal.
you're absolutely right...But that was a stage for him to shine and potentially cement his place. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I know there are some that might consider my opinion on this subject tainted, but here goes anyways:
I agree with much of what Stu has been saying but there is a part of me that likes the selection of John to the team.
I've witnessed a few Mosconi Cups and it is not a normal pool event. It is unique, with the team elements, the representation of your country, the fans charged up on all four sides, and the cameras in your face and behind your shooting elbow. And if that's not enough, this year iteration will be in Blackpool Tower, already sold out, filled to capacity with hollering, screaming Euros that will hoot and scream for every success of the European squad and stomp their feet and cheer every failure of the Americans.
I think that John is perfect for that kind of pressure cooker environment, not only as a player, but his experience, easy going manner and wise-cracking attitude will do a lot to calm down the rest of the team, particularly the younger guys.
Regardless, I think we all need to trust in Coach Wilson's selection. It's done and what we can do now is not moan about why some other player, regardless of how deserving, isn't on the team. After all, next year will be here in no time and the young guns who were not selected this year know the door is open and all they have to do is prove that they are team material. Should be exciting.
Go USA.
Lou Figueroa
I agree with much of what Stu has been saying but there is a part of me that likes the selection of John to the team.
I've witnessed a few Mosconi Cups and it is not a normal pool event. It is unique, with the team elements, the representation of your country, the fans charged up on all four sides, and the cameras in your face and behind your shooting elbow. And if that's not enough, this year iteration will be in Blackpool Tower, already sold out, filled to capacity with hollering, screaming Euros that will hoot and scream for every success of the European squad and stomp their feet and cheer every failure of the Americans.
I think that John is perfect for that kind of pressure cooker environment, not only as a player, but his experience, easy going manner and wise-cracking attitude will do a lot to calm down the rest of the team, particularly the younger guys.
Regardless, I think we all need to trust in Coach Wilson's selection. It's done and what we can do now is not moan about why some other player, regardless of how deserving, isn't on the team. After all, next year will be here in no time and the young guns who were not selected this year know the door is open and all they have to do is prove that they are team material. Should be exciting.
Go USA.
Lou Figueroa
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The Justins grew up in St Louis pool -- places like the Sportscenter and Billiards on Broadway. I know not a huge arena like will be in England but believe me if you could play in those places, you can play anywhere. Bergman is 3 times jr national champion and won every time he was expected to win. The first time we took him to Vega$ I think he was 13, every time he hit a ball their were literally a 100 people watching just his match and he ran out like water. In 2008 when we set up the match against Morra for about $13k a side and he was what 19 years old?, Justin beat him so bad they never made a DVD of it. They don't need John Schmidt to teach them how to deal with pressure, the crowd, sharking or anything else.
Yes, I know about The Sports Center and Billiards on Broadway. Starlight too.
The Mosconi Cup is different
Lou Figueroa
Yes, I know about The Sports Center and Billiards on Broadway. Starlight too.
The Mosconi Cup is different
Lou Figueroa
Different.....So John S playing one time in the Mosconi 8 years ago is gonna help with that??? Nice stretch.
My point is that Bergman for sure has had more pressure during his pool career than Schmidt has ever had.
You have got the inside info. Can you explain why Johnny Archer is not on the team?
When he beat Morra , the rail was full of his friendlys and John was way out of his element , hardly going to be the case in Blackpool
1
And what I am saying is that the Mosconi Cup is different than playing in a St. Louis pool room.
Having been to events all over the country I can tell you it is unique in the pool world. And every time I read a story about the Ryder Cup, and how all the players -- even the experienced, majors-wining champions -- say that there is no other event like it, that it is intimidating, that the rookies are in for a surprise, on so on, I think of the MC. And that, my friend, is not a stretch ;-)
Lou Figueroa
If Earl the Pearl isn't playing, I won't watch....... 
That's it? Shane was on that team too. There has to be another reason.
You are missing my point Lou. People are saying that John Schmidt is going to help mentor the Justins. My point is that they don't need it and to be blunt John Schmidt can't teach them anything about that. He has as much experience with the Mosconi Cup pressure as they do. Now if it was say Johnny Archer then that argument for having him on the team would hold some weight to it. Schmitts value is that he will hopefully be a good teammate which I have every indication he will be. The catch is in him refinding his form and killer instinct. And this is nothing that I wouldn't say directly to him.
If they wanted a teammate to help others deal with pressure than Oscar should have been the choice. Ask him sometime about going down to Mexico to places where the US Army wouldn't go into and playing pool for more money than John Schmidt has won this decade in playing pool.
Shane's back is gonna give out after carrying this team.
If Earl the Pearl isn't playing, I won't watch.......
Lots of folks feel the same way. Many in Europe.
Lou Figueroa
because one fellow followed all the rules and proved his mettle and he's now on the outside, looking in.
oh, wait, correction, he's been named the offensive shot specialist or some such nonsense.
best,
brian kc <---- woo this
translation: you're not going to play but this should make it feel better.
best,
brian kc